A cool set shot by Aimee Schmidt secured a thrilling draw for Greater Western Sydney against Fremantle in a fierce and entertaining contest at Blacktown International Sportspark.
Both sides were searching for their first win of the inaugural NAB AFL Women's season and Fremantle appeared on track, leading at every change and for the vast majority of the contest. However, the Giants, buoyed by an enthusiastic 4000-strong crowd, mowed down their opponents with five second-half goals to leave the match tied at 7.1 (43) to 6.7 (43).
Freo made the better start, kicking 1.3 in the opening quarter and keeping the home side scoreless, before adding another two goals in the second. The Giants’ intensity was rewarded with two second-quarter goals, putting them within striking range at the main break, which was extended from 16 minutes to 20 under the heat rule.
With vice captain and marquee player Emma Swanson making her mark in her first appearance of the season, GWS gained the ascendancy in the midfield in the third term and took the lead with a goal to Phoebe McWilliams, before Freo hit back through Stacey Barr and Ashley Sharp to gain a five-point advantage at three-quarter-time.
After a torrid tussle in the final term, Schmidt took her opportunity to level the scores with only time-on remaining, leaving a frantic final period in which both sides fought unsuccessfully for the decisive point.
RESULTS
GWS 0.0 2.0 5.0 7.1 (43)
FREMANTLE 1.3 3.5 5.5 6.7 (43)
GOALS
GWS: McWilliams 2, Brush, Nguyen, Barclay, Walker, Schmidt
Fremantle: Sharp 3, Donnellan, Phillips, Barr
BEST
GWS: Swanson, McWilliams, Barclay, Tully, Brush
Fremantle: Donnellan, Filocamo, Sharp, Barr, Hooker
INJURIES
Fremantle: Haynes (shoulder), Davidson (ankle)
GWS: TBC
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Garroway, Barr, O’Brien
Crowd (estimated): 4,000 at Blacktown International Sportspark
